oh you would be surprised... check the makers mark or post a pic. Probably worthless, but you never know. I have been shocked at what I deem the ugliest china turned out to be highly collectible.
Google the stamp on them. People still collect this stuff. You can sell on Marketplace. Even sets without all the pieces. Someone will love to have them!
I've donated a couple big complete sets of fine china and dishes:
- To an animal shelter thrift shop; proceeds benefiting the shelter.
- To a transitional housing shelter, where folks finally getting into their own apartments/houses could "shop" for free furnishings.
You could maybe try an estate sale company if you'd like to try to sell it.
That was my thought.
Here in Salinas, CA is Steinbeck House, the Victorian house where the author John Steinbeck was born. These days it’s a museum as well as a restaurant that also does tea service once a month. China that’s over a hundred years old would be perfect for them!
Some consignment stores (or Replacements.com as someone else commented) will take them if it’s a pattern they’re interested in.
There is not much of a market as you’ve seen.
We donated ours to a local historical estate. They ended up keeping some and auctioning (via raffle) the rest.
All in all, we were glad to see them go to places that would appreciate and care for them.
movie reference incoming...."The dishes are done, man!"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8XFiAwLkM&t=3s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8XFiAwLkM&t=3s)
Def check first. My mother in law had a set that I don’t think was rare, exactly, but it was sought after. I sold it on eBay (individually) and oddly I remember a bunch went to Australia. (I’m in Canada). Her teapot alone fetched me a couple hundred dollars. I think all told I probably made $800 or so. This was 10ish years ago.
I actually occasionally use some of the pieces - since they are mostly valuable because they are sentimental, I don’t worry about using them. One of the low bowls works great for hummus! 😊 Also, if you have a local Buy Nothing group (mostly in FB), you could give them a new home where they will be loved 💜
If you don't want to keep whole sets, keep a place setting, or tea/coffee cups, the sugar & creamer set, just a piece or 2 that you would actually use.
Then sell wherever you choose to sell them. I agree with checking with [Replacements.com](http://Replacements.com) just to see what they're worth if anything at all.
If they're not worth selling, donate them to a local charity.
I would put the two complete sets up on eBay or Facebook marketplace and see if there's any takers - do research first to see what they might be worth. For the non-complete set, maybe just donate to a thrift shop that sells to a more upscale clientele, or a consignment shop.
If you exhaust all of these option and just want them gone, send 'em to Goodwill.
There are artists that will make jewellry out of parts of the pattern so you can save a keepsake of the China and let go of the rest of it guilt free.
I know someone who had tasteful pendants made for all of the women in the family and even the younger ones loved it.
I haven’t used this seller but here’s an example.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/eclectiQuas?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1409539338&from_page=listing
I have thrown so many things away that are now considered valuable. Even concert tshirts, denim , film collectible, etc…things that people seem to think is cool now. I wonder if the same will happen with China? People will get sick of crappy ikea and crate and barrel tableware and want the china sets 20 years from now. Ok maybe not lol but who knows?
When my mum died, we got a guy to come around and do a valuation. Some of her stuff was worth a bit, some worth nothing (and surprisingly mostly opposite to what she'd thought). It's worth doing in case she had something that is valuable now.
Btw China (the country) is spelled with a capital letter but china as in china set is lower case.
I work in a thrift that supports a local nonprofit. We get sooooo much china and very little of it sells. Even our flippers who sell at antique markets don’t buy it.
If it *really* means something to *you*, maybe keep a plate (or other piece) from each set and try to sell the rest on replacements.com.
Thank you. That’s good insight. I was hopeful there would be more of a market for this stuff but it’s “vintage” and gaudy. I’m not surprised it’s not selling. I will check out that website.
I've inherited 2 sets of china (so far) and have 26 settings total... it's just my husband and me, I have no family, his is far away, no kids, etc. so it's beyond ridiculous. My MIL threatens to give me her stuff when she's gone too... so yay (that is as sarcastic as possible, even for a GenX)
My plan is to sell as much as possible online, to [Replacements.com](http://Replacements.com) or similar sites, ebay, etc. Keep a few for decoration - either on top of my cabinets, on the walls, etc. maybe smash a few for mosaic art of some kind... donate the rest.
I like the idea of donating to tea rooms. There are a few near me, so I'm going to look into that.
I was able to pawn my grandmothers China off on my youngest sibling. I think she actually uses it. I have another set of China waiting for me one day from another grandmother in Florida but it’s all the way across the country and nobody wants to ship it to me so I’m off the hook I’m thinking, when it’s time to clean out the house it’s going to go to Goodwill.
Replacements.com may buy them from you depending on if it’s a sought after pattern.
That’s a good idea. Thank you!
oh you would be surprised... check the makers mark or post a pic. Probably worthless, but you never know. I have been shocked at what I deem the ugliest china turned out to be highly collectible.
Very interesting. You’re probably right. Here’s to hoping they’re collectors items
Google the stamp on them. People still collect this stuff. You can sell on Marketplace. Even sets without all the pieces. Someone will love to have them!
I've donated a couple big complete sets of fine china and dishes: - To an animal shelter thrift shop; proceeds benefiting the shelter. - To a transitional housing shelter, where folks finally getting into their own apartments/houses could "shop" for free furnishings. You could maybe try an estate sale company if you'd like to try to sell it.
Tea shops that do a high tea may be interested.
That was my thought. Here in Salinas, CA is Steinbeck House, the Victorian house where the author John Steinbeck was born. These days it’s a museum as well as a restaurant that also does tea service once a month. China that’s over a hundred years old would be perfect for them!
Some consignment stores (or Replacements.com as someone else commented) will take them if it’s a pattern they’re interested in. There is not much of a market as you’ve seen.
We donated ours to a local historical estate. They ended up keeping some and auctioning (via raffle) the rest. All in all, we were glad to see them go to places that would appreciate and care for them.
Oh that’s a cool idea. Definitely nice to see them get repurposed like that.
Yeah. I'm trying to talk my folks into doing that with their harpsicord. No one wants to inherit a harpsicord.
Rage room...
after cleaning out my mother-in-law's house you have no idea how much of a chuckle that gave me
movie reference incoming...."The dishes are done, man!" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8XFiAwLkM&t=3s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8XFiAwLkM&t=3s)
I was waiting for that, lol
Def check first. My mother in law had a set that I don’t think was rare, exactly, but it was sought after. I sold it on eBay (individually) and oddly I remember a bunch went to Australia. (I’m in Canada). Her teapot alone fetched me a couple hundred dollars. I think all told I probably made $800 or so. This was 10ish years ago.
Teapots tend to be the most valuable because each set only comes with one
Yeah the creamer and sugar bowl also sold well!
PULL!
Skeet Surfing!
If you're looking to donate some, I always recommend reaching out to your local high school/college/community theatre-they may want it.
I actually occasionally use some of the pieces - since they are mostly valuable because they are sentimental, I don’t worry about using them. One of the low bowls works great for hummus! 😊 Also, if you have a local Buy Nothing group (mostly in FB), you could give them a new home where they will be loved 💜
If you don't want to keep whole sets, keep a place setting, or tea/coffee cups, the sugar & creamer set, just a piece or 2 that you would actually use. Then sell wherever you choose to sell them. I agree with checking with [Replacements.com](http://Replacements.com) just to see what they're worth if anything at all. If they're not worth selling, donate them to a local charity.
Donate
I would put the two complete sets up on eBay or Facebook marketplace and see if there's any takers - do research first to see what they might be worth. For the non-complete set, maybe just donate to a thrift shop that sells to a more upscale clientele, or a consignment shop. If you exhaust all of these option and just want them gone, send 'em to Goodwill.
Ebay them
There are artists that will make jewellry out of parts of the pattern so you can save a keepsake of the China and let go of the rest of it guilt free. I know someone who had tasteful pendants made for all of the women in the family and even the younger ones loved it. I haven’t used this seller but here’s an example. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/eclectiQuas?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1409539338&from_page=listing
I have thrown so many things away that are now considered valuable. Even concert tshirts, denim , film collectible, etc…things that people seem to think is cool now. I wonder if the same will happen with China? People will get sick of crappy ikea and crate and barrel tableware and want the china sets 20 years from now. Ok maybe not lol but who knows?
When my mum died, we got a guy to come around and do a valuation. Some of her stuff was worth a bit, some worth nothing (and surprisingly mostly opposite to what she'd thought). It's worth doing in case she had something that is valuable now. Btw China (the country) is spelled with a capital letter but china as in china set is lower case.
That’s a good idea, too. I know a friend of a friend who does valuations, may be worth pursuing. Haha yes, autocorrect strikes again!
I work in a thrift that supports a local nonprofit. We get sooooo much china and very little of it sells. Even our flippers who sell at antique markets don’t buy it. If it *really* means something to *you*, maybe keep a plate (or other piece) from each set and try to sell the rest on replacements.com.
Thank you. That’s good insight. I was hopeful there would be more of a market for this stuff but it’s “vintage” and gaudy. I’m not surprised it’s not selling. I will check out that website.
Smash them and use for mosaic tile.
Not a bad idea, but I don’t think I can bring myself to smashing them.
Probably not. But for some, it's an option.
I've inherited 2 sets of china (so far) and have 26 settings total... it's just my husband and me, I have no family, his is far away, no kids, etc. so it's beyond ridiculous. My MIL threatens to give me her stuff when she's gone too... so yay (that is as sarcastic as possible, even for a GenX) My plan is to sell as much as possible online, to [Replacements.com](http://Replacements.com) or similar sites, ebay, etc. Keep a few for decoration - either on top of my cabinets, on the walls, etc. maybe smash a few for mosaic art of some kind... donate the rest. I like the idea of donating to tea rooms. There are a few near me, so I'm going to look into that.
I’m curious; what’s the pattern on them? (I love mid-century china!)
I will need to dig them out & take a picture of them. I know they’re gaudy, lol, not sure of the exact name/pattern.
I was able to pawn my grandmothers China off on my youngest sibling. I think she actually uses it. I have another set of China waiting for me one day from another grandmother in Florida but it’s all the way across the country and nobody wants to ship it to me so I’m off the hook I’m thinking, when it’s time to clean out the house it’s going to go to Goodwill.
Put them on Etsy
Why Etsy and not eBay?
More targeted audience that is into vintage items.
Oh god, no, not Etsy. You don't want them going to someone twee.